New to Cakewalk, just switched from Tracktion...I am using SHS7 to import midi songs and then attched a VST instrument into the track.  Sorry...just can't figure it out.  Also in some of the songs I import there are seperate drum track (snare, tom1, etc.)  What is the best Vst to use for this.  Thanks for any help.

What is the best Vst to use for this.

 
How much money do you have?
There are tons of good VSTs out there; some are very expensive.
Okay, you import a MIDI file and it seperates all the instruments into different tracks, right?
I don't know all the soft synths that come with SHS 7 (I have SHS 6), but you do have TTS-1. Insert 1 instance of TTS-1, then set the outputs of your MIDI tracks (up to 16 MIDI channels can be sent through 1 TTS-1 synth) to TTS-1. Set the banks and patches, it will sound okay.
Do you have Session Drummer 2? I believe you do, so insert that and audition the drum sounds and set up a kit, then send your MIDI drum tracks to that synth.
What kind of music do you make? 

Yes I have Session Drummer.  I also have Sample2xl which I owned.  My problem is when you say "attach 1 instance" I am lost.  I understand how to insert a softsyth where it shows in the bottom left but how do you assign it to a particular track?  IN Tracktion it was easy...you just drag the Vst over to the track and "boom" it was there.  
 
I just ordered Anderton's book for SHS7...maybe this will get pass the learning curve.  I really appreciate any help you could give. 

In the MIDI track, select the softsynth as the output.

For drum tracks, TTS is not bad.
Insert the TTS in the synthrack
Select all the MIDI tracks, then click on Tracks-Property-Outputs and select the TTS-1 and output for all MIDI tracks. The drums tracks should be on Channel 10.

perrodiablo


Yes I have Session Drummer.  I also have Sample2xl which I owned.  My problem is when you say "attach 1 instance" I am lost.  I understand how to insert a softsyth where it shows in the bottom left but how do you assign it to a particular track?  IN Tracktion it was easy...you just drag the Vst over to the track and "boom" it was there.  
 
I just ordered Anderton's book for SHS7...maybe this will get pass the learning curve.  I really appreciate any help you could give. 

attaching "an instance" is just inserting the softsynth.  to assign it to a particular track - it depens on how you insert it.  when you insert the softsynth a window pops up.  it asks you several options.  if you choose INSTRUMENT track then the softsynth is setup directly for the instrument track that is inserted.  if you choose FIRST OUTPUT or ALL OUTPUTS (either stereo or mono) then it will assign an "OUTPUT" track.  if you choose MIDI SOURCE then it will add TWO tracks, one for the MIDI track the other for the OUTPUT track.
 
to assign a softsynth to a particular MIDI track, you simply change the OUTPUT of the MIDI track to the softsynth OUTPUT track name AND change the INPUT of the OUTPUT track to that OUTPUT of the softsynth.  sounds confusing, I know.  but look at the help files and you have severa tutorials there.  work thru tutorials #4 & 8 and they will walk you thru the different ways to use softsynths.

Stylus RMX is good for drums http://www.spectrasonics.net/instruments/stylusrmx.html Depending on the version of Sonar you're using the RMX player has some excellent samples - drums,bass,guitar etc.It comes with Sonar 6.Which version of Sonar are you using ? Don't freak about the learning curve,theres nothing to it really - you'll be on top of it in a week for sure
Kev

Thanks to all.  I was able to attach SI Drum kit to midi drum track.  The other midi tracks are proving more difficult.  What does DIS next to the synth mean in the synth preview window?

I did what you said however, my output track records only the softsynth wavform form not midi data, but I cant use that wavform. If I turn the waveform preview off it goes away. I am not sure what to do at this point.
 
X1
emu 1616mpci with patchmix interface.
this occurs on all of the soft synths including SD3
 
I you think you can help me I would appreciate it.  If not I understand.  Thanks beforehand!

I believe you may be inserting the VST's as Simple Instrument Tracks.
Is that correct?
If so, try inserting the synth with the following options:
MIDI Source Track
All synth Audio Outputs(stereo)
Synth Properties Page.
This will give you the MIDI track where the data is actually recorded, plus all available outputs from a given synth.
I think you will really like what this does for SD2 and Sample Tank.
Re the waveform preview. That is not a wav file, but an active view of the audio output from the synth.
It is most useful for checking your levels on the fly, and it shows any clipping as it occurs.
Think of it as a tool, not a product.
If you have figured out how to properly route Patchmix, you'll be able to find your way through SHS7
Yes, the learning curve is a bit steep at first, but the Anderton book should help, and we will do what we can to help you get up and running.